Tsukuba: Fiber is something every dietitian suggests for better health. It is known to be vitally important for a healthy digestive system and also has cardiovascular benefits like lowering cholesterol. Recently, evidence has emerged that fiber is also important for a healthy brain. A new study has just been opened on this subject. The study was published in the journal “Nutritional Neuroscience”. It was conducted by researchers in Japan and showed that a high fiber diet is associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia.

“Dementia is a devastating disease that usually requires long-term care,” said the study’s lead author, Professor Kazumasa Yamagishi. “We were interested in recent research suggesting that dietary fiber might play a preventative role. We investigated this using data collected from thousands of adults in Japan for a large study that began in the 1980s.”

Participants completed surveys that assessed their food intake between 1985 and 1999. They were generally healthy and between the ages of 40 and 64. They were then followed from 1999 to 2020, and it was noted whether they had developed dementia requiring treatment. The researchers divided the data, from a total of 3,739 adults, into four groups based on the amount of fiber in their diet. They found that groups that ate higher levels of fiber had a lower risk of developing dementia.

The team also looked at whether there were any differences between the two main types of fiber: soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber, found in foods such as oats and legumes, is important for beneficial bacteria that live in the gut and provides other health benefits. Insoluble fiber, found in whole grains, vegetables, and some other foods, is known to be important for gut health. The researchers found that the link between fiber intake and dementia was most pronounced for soluble fiber. The team had some ideas about what might underlie the link between dietary fiber and dementia risk.

“The mechanisms are currently unknown but could involve the interactions that take place between the gut and the brain,” Professor Yamagishi said. “One possibility is that soluble fiber regulates the composition of gut bacteria. This composition may affect neuroinflammation, which plays a role in the onset of dementia. It is also possible that dietary fiber reduces other risk factors for dementia, such as body weight, blood pressure, lipids and glucose levels.The work is still at an early stage, and it is important to confirm the association in other populations.

Today, in many countries, such as the United States and Australia, many people consume less fiber than recommended by nutritionists. By encouraging healthy eating habits high in dietary fibre, it may be possible to reduce the incidence of dementia.